Episode 34: Vaughn Williams - Director of Athletics - Bentley University - Waltham, MA

Today’s guest is Vaughn Williams. Vaughn serves as the Director of Athletics at Bentley University in Waltham, Massachusetts. A multi-dimensional leader, who has harnessed the power of connection, I believe everyone is better after they are around him and we are very fortunate to have you experience this today. Vaughn is a relationship builder who is not afraid of challenges and embraces being a life-long learner. He lives by the motto of “Just serve, show up, do your job and help others do theirs.” And that will not be the last piece of wisdom you will need to document as we sit down with him today. So, get something to write with and on… as we settle in and get to know…Mr. Vaughn Williams. 1:09- Introduction7:03- Called, Opportunity, Serve- Vaughn Williams the Leader7:37- Following a Beloved, Successful Predecessor10:48- Being Consistent Fulfilling the Needs of Student-Athletes14:04- Importance of Being Prompt18:23- Recognizing the Leader Within You23:21- Applying Leadership Traits Learned from His Parents26:57- Assimilating New Student-Athletes During & After Covid34:04- Strategies to Serve Everyone in Our Communities40:23- Cultivating People Skills Within a Leader47:12- Preparing Student-Athletes for What’s Next54:08- The WHY behind Branding Through Social Media59:08- Leading the Leader who has Talent but Lacks Experience1:03:41- One Word from Each Stop in Vaughn’s Journey of Athletic Administration1:05:50- Partnering with Your Best Friend, Your Spouse, to Lead in Athletics1:07:32- 2-Minute Drill Book Mentions: The Servant: A Simple Story About the True Essence of Leadership (Hunter) You can follow Vaughn Williams and Bentley University Athletics on social media Twitter:  @VW_BentleyAD    @BentleyFalcons About Hangin With The AD Podcast….Hangin with the AD is an interview style podcast where Don Baker, Cobb County School District Director of Athletics, partners with Josh Mathews, Pope High School (GA) Athletic Director, to discuss hot topics and lessons learned with leaders in the world of athletics.  These leaders include high school athletic directors at the district and local school levels; college athletic administrators; leaders in spaces that connect to athletics such as nutrition, wellness, recruiting, student-athlete recognition; current and former athletes; and others, who can help athletic administrators develop themselves and their programs for a better daily experience for their athletic communities.          We hope you enjoy the time we spend with these special guests.  Please leave us a review or rating to help us know how you were benefited from this podcast or how we can improve it.  Thank you for listening.  And until next time, thank you for spending your time, Hangin with the AD.           Don Baker, CMAA.... Director of Athletics for the Cobb County School District in Georgia. @CCSD_AD (twitter & instagram) Josh Mathews, CMAA...Athletics Director at Pope High School in Marietta, GA (East Cobb) @jwmathews14 (twitter & instagram)